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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat, Ear Pain And Laryngitis
Question: I had laryngitus, sore throat, and some ear pain wednesday -Sunday last week. Felt somewhat better. Now past day bad sorethroat, bad ear pain, and a little stuffy nose. No cough. Should I see a doctor.
Brief Answer:
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hell XXXXXXX
It's always hard to figure out, when symptoms of 2 upper respiratory illnesses are back to back - are they 2 separate infections or the first one wasn't gone and picked up steam.
If your throat is very painful, you have swollen neck glands, and a fever, then there is the risk that your current infection may be strep, and for that, you need a throat swab. A rapid strep test can be done in an urgent care clinic while you wait, and if the doctor is suspicious that it is strep even if the rapid test is negative, he/she can then send the swab for a full culture. The doctor can also have a look to see if your ear is infected vs pain from secretions going down the back of your throat (serous otitis).
Here is what I recommend:
check your temperature
If no fever or chills, take a decongestant and see if that helps your ear and throat. Most effective one is pseudo ephedrine (sold without prescription but you have to ask for it as it's kept behind the counter).
If you have a fever, or if no significant help (ear, throat) from the decongestant, go to urgent care and get your throat swabbed to rule out strep.
I hope this information helps.
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hell XXXXXXX
It's always hard to figure out, when symptoms of 2 upper respiratory illnesses are back to back - are they 2 separate infections or the first one wasn't gone and picked up steam.
If your throat is very painful, you have swollen neck glands, and a fever, then there is the risk that your current infection may be strep, and for that, you need a throat swab. A rapid strep test can be done in an urgent care clinic while you wait, and if the doctor is suspicious that it is strep even if the rapid test is negative, he/she can then send the swab for a full culture. The doctor can also have a look to see if your ear is infected vs pain from secretions going down the back of your throat (serous otitis).
Here is what I recommend:
check your temperature
If no fever or chills, take a decongestant and see if that helps your ear and throat. Most effective one is pseudo ephedrine (sold without prescription but you have to ask for it as it's kept behind the counter).
If you have a fever, or if no significant help (ear, throat) from the decongestant, go to urgent care and get your throat swabbed to rule out strep.
I hope this information helps.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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